My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:29)
A child looks up and reaches for the familiar hand of a parent. It is an image of sercurity sought and found. It speaks of the inherent desire in all of us, no matter our age, to find a safe and secure place in this often dangerous world.
Jesus continues to enrage religious leaders with claims of unity with the Father. The Father has given him, the Good Shepherd, sheep to care for. In 1st century Palestine this was a vivid and familiar image. The Judean hills and plains were scattered with shepherds tending sheep, protecting them from many and varied dangers - wild animals, thieves etc. Sheep were precious and a Good Shepherd would do all they could to maintain their safety and security.
Our world is filled with spiritual danger, from the idolatrous spirit that haunts the human heart to the crafty and manipulatve schemes of the the evil one. In this world we will have trouble. But in this world we also experience the protective care of a Father who refuses to let us go. We cannot, will not be snatched from the loving, vice-like and yet tender grip of God. We find shelter in the shadow of his wings (Psalm 91)
I reach for the Father's hand to find fingers always open ready to receive mine, and once closed over mine, never to be loosened.
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